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Location notes

The station is located on the Fife Circle into Edinburgh. A semi urban location, Cardenden is a former mining village, but is growing in size with new housing developments, including one near the station. Located in the Kirkcaldy district, but really central Fife. Nearest main towns are Kirkcaldy and Glenrothes, although Lochgelly, whilst a small town, is near as well. All are about 10-15 minutes drive away.

Cardenden is also the birthplace, and final resting place, of Johnny Thomson, the last player to be killed in an Old Firm (Celtic v Rangers) football match. He was a goalkeeper with Celtic, and in an old firm game in 1931, collided with the feet of a rangers player while making a save. His severe head injuries proved fatal. He was 22, and was buried at Bowhill Cemetery, Cardenden. His grave is the very big white grave to the left of the cemetery gates. A boys football tournament, named after him, is held in Cardenden every year, and there is also a regualr pilgramige to his grave.

Railway type and traffic

Being on the Fife circle, First Scotrail services on Fife Circle duties are the main passenger traffic, operated by 150s, 156s, 158s, and 170s. The line is also a diversionary route, for when the main ECML through Kirkcaldy is closed. Very occasionally, its possible to see Virgin Voyagers passing the station, working ECS, though these are not scheduled.Freight traffic is worked by DB Schenker, and consists of MGRs working to and from Longannet. Once the line from Alloa reopens, probably 2006, this traffic may cease.

Environment

The station is located on top of a bridge and embankment, and the area is quite exposed. Therefore, it can be windy sometimes. There are shelters on each platform though. The station is covered by CCTV, and there is a help point on the Dunfermline bound platform. The station is well lit, and is generally safe at all times.The car park is well within sight of the platforms.

Road directions

From the A92, heading east, come off at the Lochgelly Junction, and then turn right, and follow the road until you reach a small hamlet, with a signpost for 'Cardenden 1 1/2'. Turn left and follow this road, passing the Village Inn pub. After here, you will go down a hill, and then see the rail bridge, with the 'Scotrail Cardenden' signs adorning it. The car park is the entrance on your left, before coming to this bridge.

From the Eastbound A92, come off at the Chapel Interchange, with signs for Cardenden. Follow these signs for Cardenden, and stay on the road through Cluny, and into Cardenden itself. You will pass under one railway bridge, and after a short while, you will see a junction, with the Railway Tavern on the corner. Turn left, for Dundonald, and you will see ahead the railway bridge with the 'Scotrail Cardenden' sign on it. Go under the bridge, and the car park is the first on your right.

There is a car park next to the station, and is within sight of the station. It has 20 spaces, and is very rarely used. Floodlights and CCTV cover the car park. Despite there being a children's play park next to the car park, it is safe to leave it at night.

Public transport

Trains are run by First Scotrail, and are every hour on each circle Mondays to Saturdays, 2 hourly on Sundays. Bus stops are located right outside the station. Stagecoach in Fife runs the 32 and 33 up main road, which is where the station is located. Both run hourly, giving a combined 30 minute frequency. At the top of Main road, the buses head around the turning circle and come back down again. In the evenings and on Sundays, only the 32 serves this area, every 2 hours.

However, services 34/A, also operated by Stagecoach Fife, stop on the southern portion of Station Road, near the Railway Tavern pub, on a 30 minute frequency, hourly evenings and Sundays. This is about 5 minutes walk from the station. Visit Stagecoach Bus, Fife for timetables.

Cardenden is an un-staffed station. The nearest toilets are 1/2 a mile away, but these are not open at evenings or weekends. A pub, The Village Inn, is located at the top of main road, and two local shops are also located here, one next to the pub, the other, Dundonald Supersave, round the corner in Dundonald Park. A supermarket and another pub, the Railway Tavern, are located at the bottom end of Station Road. More shops and banks are available in Central Cardenden, 1/2 a mile away. The nearest public telephones are on Denfield Avenue, around the corner from Dundonald Supersave, whilst one is available in the Village Inn, but only during opening hours.

Accommodation

The Bowhill hotel has very limited accommodation. Otherwise, the nearest accommodation is in Kirkcaldy (various locations), Kinglassie (Kinglassie Inn), or Glenrothes (various locations)

Sun Compass

Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Cardenden Station

Located on an east-west axis, shooting towards the east in the early morning can be difficult. But, the sun can also create good images, if you are looking for contrasts. The platforms are quite wide, and it is possible to see the tracks for 1/2 a mile looking east, and up to 1 mile looking west, giving you time to prepare your shot.An alternative photographic point is from a gate at the end of the car park. This gate is normally locked, and is used for giving engineers access to the tracks. The actual car park is a former goods yard. This spot is useful to show trains stopped in platform 2, but can also be used for non stoppers, as you can see for some distance along the tracks.The station also has a stepped footbridge, connecting the two platforms, offering more opportunities. There is some noise from the nearby roads, but this should not affect videos.

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